Bent Street Project by Kim Kneipp
In a wooden and earthy palette of timbers and green hues, Kim Kneipp reimagines a Kensington home to have better circulation and a stronger connection between external and internal spaces in Bent Street Project.
Words: Thida Sachathep | Photography: Lisa Cohen
The kitchen joinery is the main feature of the new interior. Island joinery by ZP Woodwork. Line, pantry and laundry joinery by Andrew Sama. Painting by Rohan Fraser. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
The small home is full of clever storage solutions including white Laminex cabinetry above the bench tops. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
Located in the inner-city suburb of Kensington, Melbourne, the recently completed Bent Street Project by Kim Kneipp received a significant revamp that created more space, ideal for social gatherings and entertaining. Although work in the house went ahead through the lockdown, Kim Kneipp and her team collaborated with local designers and builders to ensure the project came to fruition for the clients.
Designed for siblings and their friend, whom Kneipp had worked with years earlier, the house previously suffered from a lack of storage and minimal natural light.
Kneipp shares, ‘Light and flow are our first consideration in any space. Once we have understood these two components, then we get to work on all of the practical and beautiful details.’
The team first addressed the problems evident in the original dwelling by approaching the circulation and flow of the floor plan, increasing opportunities for natural light to flow into each space while retaining the existing footprint of the house. This is further amplified by the removal of the old kitchen wall that now provides a direct line to the outdoor courtyard, bringing even more sunlight into the space.
Known for their sustainable approach to architecture and design, the designers crafted each space in the house to suit the occupants’ personalities. Prioritising the outdoor areas meant that material choices resulted in natural finished timber with unique woodgrains and tones of green. This creates a powerful and timeless connection between the indoor and the natural environment outside. These colours also feature in the bathroom wall that has been cladded with small olive-coloured square tiles.
The benchtop space conceals a built-in bar to be even more economical on space. Island joinery by ZP Woodwork. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
The floor to ceiling bookcase in the dining space. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
“Our studio has a commitment to using sustainable, local and non-toxic materials – we love the challenge of crafting interiors to suit the specific personality and practicality of the occupants” ”
‘We love the sneaky little bar we incorporated into the kitchen island. Our clients love being able to hide their dirty dishes in the sink while they sit around enjoying a cocktail,’ says Kim Kneipp. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
The same green surfaces and timber joinery in the kitchen are also used in the bathroom. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
Taking advantage of the high ceilings, plenty of storage is available in the newly transformed kitchen. The kitchen, now running lengthwise across the wall, also connects to the dining nook as circulation becomes more open. Paired with a wooden ladder, a custom brass ladder rail was utilised to add character to the floor-to-ceiling shelves, as it will patina over time with the brass tapware. Additionally, a concealed bar is built into the kitchen island for more economical storage options.
Having already repositioned the kitchen to allow better access and minimal visual obstruction between the entrance and rear of the house, both bathroom and laundry areas are accessed through the kitchen via a tucked away sliding door. The laundry area is also clad with cabinets in green hues, making it a direct extension of the kitchen.
The combination of luxury custom joinery and magnetic materials ensures that the house will grow with its occupants.
A corner of the living room displays the owner’s collection of items picked up from around the world. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
The custom-built joinery by ZP Woodwork in the kitchen space. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
Green surfaces and timber joinery are used throughout the house. Photo: Lisa Cohen.
‘It’s always our goal to create connection to the exterior environment - we try to do this with both direct and indirect natural light before looking to introduce artificial lighting,’ says Kim Kneipp. Photo: Lisa Cohen.